Anti-allergic effect of Cinnamomum cassia extract in mice

Cinnamomum cassia has been traditionally used to treat allergic disease in East Asian countries. Previous studies have demonstrated that C. cassia inhibits the development of mite antigen-induced skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by suppressing the T helper 2 cell response. The purpose of this study is to determine whether C. cassia has an inhibitory effect on systemic anaphylaxis and contact hypersensitivity in mice. Systemic anaphylaxis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of compound 48/80. Mortality was monitored for 1h after the injection. Contact hypersensitivity response was induced by topical application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) to the ears of mice. Ear thickness was measured 0, 24 and 48h after DNFB challenge. We found that C. cassia significantly inhibited compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis and DNFB-induced ear swelling. Compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis was inhibited 100% at the dose of 60mg/kg. When C. cassia was administered at the dose of 200mg/kg, the change in ear thickness 24h after DNFB challenge was significantly less than that in the control group (0.16±0.03 vs. 0.32±0.03mm, p<0.01). These results suggest that C. cassia suppresses allergic reactions, thus has potential for mitigation of atopic dermatitis.